Our Practice

Additional Information

Gómez & Palumbo Law specializes in Immigration Law and the representation of both immigrants and non-immigrants in immigration matters. Our team of skilled and experienced professionals will provide with you with the transparent and honest legal representation you require. Our legal expertise and professional drive will ensure you unparalleled legal representation.

Our vision and mission are to provide our clients with personalized service to fit their personal needs. Immigrants are vulnerable because they do not always understand the system of law in this foreign nation and we are here to help them in their journey to obtain legal status, to change status, to obtain naturalization or citizenship, represent them in immigration court and to help them keep their legal status when they are in jeopardy of losing it or facing removal proceeding.

Did you know?

Contrary to popular perception, less than half (46 percent) of all immigrants in the United States are Hispanic or Latino. Roughly one-fifth of all immigrants are non-Hispanic white (19.2 percent), about 8 percent are black, and just over a quarter (26.3 percent) are Asian or of some other race/ethnicity.

MEET THE ASSOCIATES

Branden Scott Ladebush, Esq.

Branden is an Associate Attorney at Gomez & Palumbo who joined our team as a Legal Intern in January 2019. Following the completion of his internship, Branden continued his work at Gomez & Palumbo as a Law Clerk prior to passing the Massachusetts Bar Examination. In law school, Branden served on the executive board of the Immigration Law Association and the executive board of Outlaws, an LGBTQ+ legal organization. He additionally conducted research for The Center for International Law and Policy (CILP). Prior to joining Gomez & Palumbo Branden interned at the New Hampshire Public Defender and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office.

Branden received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University in 2016. During his time at Clark, Branden was able to work directly with the immigrant community through volunteering for the Immigration Legal Assistance Program at Ascentria Care Alliance in Worcester, Massachusetts. In Fall 2014, Branden studied International Law & Organizations at American University in Washington, DC. He additionally studied the Spanish Language and Culture in Madrid, Spain in the Fall of 2015. Branden speaks English and Spanish.

As descendent of immigrants, Branden has always believed the United States is a place that should open and welcome all. Branden’s practice includes representing clients before the Executive Office of Immigration Review, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Education

New England Law Boston (J.D.), Cum Laude

Certificate in Immigration Law

Certificate in Criminal Practice & Procedure

CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Criminal Procedure

New England Scholar Award for the 2018-2019 Academic Year

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Pro Bono Honor Roll

Clark University (B.A.), Cum Laude

American University (Certificate in International Law and Organizations)

Bar Admissions

Commonwealth of Massachusetts (2021)

U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts (2021)

First Circuit Court of Appeals (2021)

Professional Memberships

Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association

The National LGBT Bar Association

Branden es un abogado asociado con la firma Gomez & Palumbo que se unió a nuestro equipo como pasante legal en enero del 2019. Después de completar su pasantía, Branden continuó su trabajo en Gomez & Palumbo como secretario legal antes de aprobar el examen de la barra de Massachusetts. En la facultad de derecho, Branden formó parte de la junta ejecutiva de la Asociación de Leyes de Inmigración y la junta ejecutiva de Outlaws, una organización legal LGBTQ +. Además, realizó una investigación para el Centro de Derecho y Política Internacional (CILP). Antes de unirse a Gomez & Palumbo, Branden hizo una pasantía en la Defensoría Pública de New Hampshire y en la oficina del Fiscal General de Massachusetts.

Branden recibió una Licenciatura en Ciencias Políticas con una concentración en Relaciones Internacionales de la Universidad de Clark en el 2016. Durante su tiempo en Clark, Branden pudo trabajar directamente con la comunidad de inmigrantes a través del voluntariado para el Programa de Asistencia Legal de Inmigración en Ascentria Care Alliance en Worcester, Massachusetts. En el otoño de 2014, Branden estudió Derecho Internacional y Organizaciones en la American University en Washington, DC. Además, estudió Lengua y Cultura Española en Madrid, España en el otoño de 2015. Branden habla inglés y español.

Como descendiente de inmigrantes, Branden siempre ha creído que Estados Unidos es un lugar que debería abrir y dar la bienvenida a todos. La práctica de Branden incluye la representación de clientes ante la Oficina Ejecutiva de Revisión de Inmigración y los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de EE. UU.

Educación

New England Law | Boston (J.D.), Cum Laude

Certificado en derecho de inmigración

Certificado en Práctica y Procedimiento Penal

Premio CALI Excelencia para el Futuro en Procedimiento Penal

Premio Académico de Nueva Inglaterra para el año académico 2018-2019

Cuadro de Honor Pro-Bono de la Corte Judicial Suprema de Massachusetts

Clark Univeristy (B.A.), Cum Laude

American University (Certificado en Derecho y Organizaciones Internacionales)

Admisiones a Corte

Commonwealth de Massachusetts (2021)

Tribunal de Distrito de los Estados Unidos, Distrito de Massachusetts (2021)

Tribunal de Apelaciones del Primer Circuito (2021)

Afiliaciones Profesionales

Asociación de Abogados LGBTQ de Massachusetts

La Asociación Nacional de Abogados LGBT

Petronila “Petra” Veras-Rizwan, Esq.

Petronila “Petra” Veras-Rizwan joined the Gomez and Palumbo team March of 2020 as an Associate Attorney. Petra is a first-generation Dominican American with a deep understanding and appreciation for the immigrant community. Petra learned early on to speak for those that cannot speak for themselves. Petra’s passion and drive derives from seeing her own family struggle through the immigration system. In 2004, Petra saw her own brother, who spent his entire life in the United States, deported to the Dominican Republic. Before Petra’s family could even hire an attorney to represent his brother, he had been deported without reasoning.

Petra has shown determination and resilience both in court and in her personal life. After graduating from high school, Petra became a single mother. Being a single mother did not deter Petra’s ambition and drive to accomplish her childhood dream of practicing law. Petra worked full time as a paralegal while she attended Northern Essex Community College and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. While attending the Massachusetts School Law at Andover, Petra worked full time as an administrative assistant for the Committee for Public Counsel Service Youth Advocacy Division in addition to raising her family.

Petra began practicing immigration law after her admission into the Massachusetts bar and has been a zealous advocate for immigrants before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Education

Massachusetts School of Law at Andover (J.D.)

CALI-Academic Achievement Award-District Court Trial Procedure

Southern New Hampshire University (M.S.)

University of Massachusetts-Lowell (B.L.A)

Northern Essex Community College (A.A.)

Bar Admission

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

(2016)

Massachusetts Federal District Court

(2017)

Professional Memberships

America Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys (MAHA)

Petronila "Petra" Veras-Rizwan se unió al equipo de Gómez y Palumbo en marzo de 2020 como abogada asociada. Petra es una dominicana de primera generación con un profundo entendimiento y aprecio por la comunidad inmigrante. Petra aprendió desde el principio a hablar por aquellos que no pueden hablar por sí mismos. La pasión y el impulso de Petra se derivan de ver la lucha de su propia familia a través del sistema de inmigración. En 2004, Petra vio a su propio hermano, que pasó toda su vida en los Estados Unidos, deportado a la República Dominicana. Antes de que la familia de Petra pudiera contratar a un abogado para representar a su hermano, había sido deportado sin razonamiento.

Petra ha demostrado determinación y resistencia tanto en la corte como en su vida personal.

Después de graduarse de la escuela secundaria, Petra se convirtió en madre soltera. Ser madre soltera no disuadió la ambición y el impulso de Petra para lograr el sueño de su infancia de practicar leyes. Petra trabajó a tiempo completo como asistente legal mientras asistía al Northern Essex Community College y a la Universidad de Massachusetts Lowell. Mientras asistía a Massachusetts School of Law at Andover, Petra trabajó a tiempo completo como asistente administrativa de la División de Defensa Juvenil del Comité de Servicio de Asesoramiento Público además de criar a su familia.

Petra comenzó a practicar la ley de inmigración después de su admisión en el colegio de abogados de Massachusetts y ha sido una entusiasta defensora de los inmigrantes ante la Oficina Ejecutiva de Revisión de Inmigración, la Junta de Apelaciones de Inmigración y los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de EE. UU.

Educacion

Massachusetts School of Law at Andover (J.D.)

CALI-Academic Achievement Award-District Court Trial Procedure

Southern New Hampshire University (M.S.)

University of Massachusetts-Lowell (B.L.A)

Northern Essex Community College (A.A.)

Admision a Corte

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (2016)

Massachusetts Federal District Court (2017)

Afiliaciones Profesionales

America Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys (MAHA)

MEET THE rest of our team

Omar Ogando, Operations Manager

Omar is the Operations Manager at Gomez & Palumbo, LLC. Having recently immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 2021, Omar was looking for a career change and had developed an interest in Immigration Law. He initially joined Gomez & Palumbo, LLC as a Paralegal in August of 2021 and was shortly thereafter promoted to Operations Manager. Due to his extensive experience in business management, Omar has led the Gomez & Palumbo, LLC team through this transformative process. His transition into the managerial role has been seamless and Omar has proven to be an invaluable member of our firm.

Omar obtained his Master’s in Business Management from PUCMM – Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra of Santo Domingo in 2007 and his Bachelor’s in Data Base Computer Science, Cum Laude, from the same university in 2004. Omar has over 15 years of experience working in management and comes to Gomez and Palumbo with a business background eager to manage the innerworkings of a law firm. His enthusiasm and ability to connect with people make him a leader who is approachable and kind.   

In his own words: Gomez and Palumbo, LLC serves as a beacon of hope for our community of immigrants and guides them on their path to achieving their goals in a new country. Having family members for which I have always been the go-to person, gave me a lot of insight into the struggles immigrants go through to come to this country looking for better opportunities. It is a blessing to be part of the process at Gomez and Palumbo.

Omar es el Gerente de Operaciones de Gomez & Palumbo, LLC. Habiendo inmigrado recientemente a los Estados Unidos desde la República Dominicana en 2021, Omar estaba buscando un cambio de carrera y había desarrollado un interés en la Leyes de Inmigración. Inicialmente se unió a Gomez & Palumbo, LLC como asistente legal en agosto del 2021 y poco después fue ascendido al puesto de Gerente de Operaciones. Debido a su amplia experiencia en gestión empresarial, Omar ha liderado el equipo de Gomez & Palumbo, LLC a través de este proceso de transformación. Su transición al rol gerencial ha sido fácil y Omar ha demostrado ser un miembro invaluable de nuestra firma.

Omar obtuvo su Maestría en Administración de Empresas de la PUCMM – Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra de Santo Domingo en el 2007 y su Licenciatura en Informática de Bases de Datos, Cum Laude, de la misma universidad en el 2004. Omar tiene más de 15 años de experiencia trabajando en administración de empresas y viene a Gómez y Palumbo con experiencia, deseoso de administrar el funcionamiento interno de un bufete de abogados. Su entusiasmo y capacidad para conectarse con las personas lo convierten en un líder amable y respetuoso.

En sus propias palabras: Gomez and Palumbo, LLC sirve como un faro de esperanza para nuestra comunidad de inmigrantes y los guía en su camino para lograr sus metas en un nuevo país. Tener familiares para los que siempre he sido la persona a quien acudir me dio mucha información sobre las luchas que atraviesan los inmigrantes para venir a este país en busca de mejores oportunidades. Es una bendición ser parte del proceso en Gómez y Palumbo.  

Justin M. Gagnon, Paralegal

Justin joined Gomez & Palumbo, LLC in June of 2021 after graduating from Warsaw University in Warsaw, Poland, with a master’s degree in International Relations. Before beginning his MA studies, Justin was the recipient of a Fulbright grant to teach and conduct research in Gori, Georgia. There, he taught English, Political Science, and American Studies at the David Aghmashenebeli National Defense Academy of Georgia. He also used that opportunity to volunteer with two local NGOs: Kartlosi, which works with IDP settlements, and Biliki, which aims to provide educational opportunities to underprivileged children in Georgian villages and IDP settlements. Through these experiences, he developed a passion for immigrants’ rights, asylum and refugee law, and humanitarian activism.

Justin received his bachelor’s degree in Russian Language and Political Science from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts in 2018. He also spent two of his undergraduate semesters at Herzen State Pedagogical University in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where he studied and interned as a Russian-English translator. He has experience speaking and translating several languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Russian, Polish, and Georgian.

Having grown up in a transnational and multilingual French-Canadian family, Justin is an outspoken supporter of safety, solidarity, and dignity for immigrants and believes in the value of cultural diversity and international communities.

Justin inició en Gomez & Palumbo, LLC en junio de 2021 después de graduarse de la Universidad de Varsovia en Varsovia, Polonia, con una maestría en Relaciones Internacionales. Antes de comenzar sus estudios de maestría, Justin recibió una beca Fulbright para enseñar y realizar investigaciones en Gori, Georgia. Allí, enseñó inglés, ciencias políticas y estudios estadounidenses en la Academia de Defensa Nacional David Aghmashenebeli de Georgia. También aprovechó esa oportunidad para ser voluntario en dos ONG locales: Kartlosi, que trabaja con asentamientos de desplazados internos, y Biliki, cuyo objetivo es brindar oportunidades educativas a niños desfavorecidos en aldeas georgianas y asentamientos de desplazados internos. A través de estas experiencias, desarrolló una pasión por los derechos de los inmigrantes, las leyes de asilo y refugiados, y el activismo humanitario.

Justin recibió su licenciatura en La Lengua Rusa y Las Ciencias Políticas de Wheaton College en Norton, Massachusetts en 2018. También pasó dos de sus semestres de pregrado en la Universidad Pedagógica Estatal Herzen en San Petersburgo, Rusia, donde estudió e hizo una pasantía como traductor ruso-inglés. Tiene experiencia hablando y traduciendo varios idiomas, incluidos inglés, español, portugués, francés, ruso, polaco y georgiano.

Habiendo crecido en una familia francés-canadiense multilingüe y transnacional, Justin es un partidario dedicado a la seguridad, la solidaridad y la dignidad de los inmigrantes y cree en el valor de la diversidad cultural y las comunidades internacionales.

Michelle Marcelo, Paralegal

Michelle Marcelo joined Gomez & Palumbo, LLC as a Paralegal in October 2021. Michelle obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice/Pre-Law from Mount Washington College in 2018. Prior to obtaining her Bachelor’s degree she obtained her Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies. Her passion for immigration began at a young age, as she witnessed the struggles her immigrant family from Dominican Republic faced in order to make it in the United States. As a first-generation Dominican-American, Michelle’s goal is to be the voice that seeks to fight and protect the interest of those who come to our office in need of assistance.

In her own words: Working for Gomez & Palumbo, LLC has been a true honor. It brings me great satisfaction assisting those who come to our office in dire need of help. When helping, I think of my family and the struggles they faced in order to obtain legal immigration status in this country. From a young age family has always been a major part of my life. Many of our client’s face losing the ones they love and having no other choice but to deal with the pain and agony of separation. It brings me joy seeing those who struggle, and face these fears of being separated, obtain the results they desperately desire with the help of our firm.

Michelle Marcelo se unió a Gomez & Palumbo, LLC como asistente legal en octubre del 2021. Michelle obtuvo su licenciatura en Justicia Criminal/Pre-Ley de Mount Washington College en 2018. Antes de obtener su licenciatura obtuvo su título de Asociada en Estudios Paralegales. Su pasión por la inmigración comenzó a una edad temprana, ya que fue testigo de las luchas que enfrentó su familia inmigrante de República Dominicana para llegar a los Estados Unidos. Como dominicana-estadounidense de primera generación, el objetivo de Michelle es ser la voz que busca luchar y proteger los intereses de aquellos que vienen a nuestra oficina en necesidad de asistencia.

En sus propias palabras: Trabajar para Gomez & Palumbo, LLC ha sido un verdadero honor. Me trae una gran satisfacción ayudar a aquellos que vienen a nuestra oficina en extrema necesidad de ayuda. Al ayudar, pienso en mi familia y las luchas que enfrentaron para obtener un estatus migratorio legal en este país. Desde muy joven, la familia siempre ha sido una parte importante de mi vida. Muchos de nuestros clientes se enfrentan a perder a los que aman y no tienen otra opción que lidiar con el dolor y la agonía de la separación. Me alegra ver a aquellos que luchan, y enfrentan estos temores de estar separados, obtener los resultados que desean desesperadamente con la ayuda de nuestra oficina.

Clark Crook-Castan, Paralegal

Clark joined Gomez and Palumbo LLC in January 2022 as a paralegal upon completing the Paralegal Certificate Program at Boston. Prior to joining our team, Clark served six years as a fire-team leader with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment. He graduated with honors from the University Massachusetts, Boston in 2017, with a degree in Sociology. Clark’s work in support of Latino organizations started when he interned at the Organization of American States after graduating high school and continued throughout his work with the Inter-American Defense Foundation and the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce. Clark has a passion for service and believes that we must support all members of our community.

Clark was born in Mexico City and comes from a large multi-cultural and multinational family. This has allowed him to truly appreciate the value that diversity brings to our society. In his own words: “I believe that our immigrant communities are a fundamental part of society. Often, these communities are under-represented and that is a problem because of how much the rest of society is dependent on our immigrants. I was granted a unique path to citizenship and because of my experiences, I believe I have a duty to dedicate my life to serving and representing our immigrant communities”.

Clark se unió a Gomez and Palumbo, LLC, como asistente legal en enero 2022 al completar el Programa de Certificado Paralegal en la Boston University. Antes de unirse a nuestro equipo, Clark sirvió seis años como líder del equipo de bomberos con la Compañía Bravo, 1er Batallón, 25º Regimiento de Marines. Se graduó con honores de la UMass, Boston en el 2017, con un título en Sociología. El trabajo de Clark en apoyo de las organizaciones latinas comenzó cuando hizo una pasantía en la Organización de los Estados Americanos después de graduarse de la escuela secundaria y continuó a lo largo de su trabajo para Inter-American Defense Foundation y la Cámara de Comercio México-Estados Unidos. Clark tiene una pasión por el servicio y cree que debemos apoyar a todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad.

Clark nació en la Ciudad de México y proviene de una gran familia multicultural y multinacional. Esto le ha permitido apreciar verdaderamente el valor que la diversidad aporta a nuestra sociedad. En sus propias palabras: "Creo que nuestras comunidades de inmigrantes son una parte fundamental de la sociedad. A menudo, estas comunidades no están representadas adecuadamente y eso es un problema porque que el resto de la sociedad depende de nuestros inmigrantes. Se me concedió un camino único hacia la ciudadanía y, debido a mis experiencias, creo que tengo el deber de dedicar mi vida a servir y representar a nuestras comunidades de inmigrantes".

Yeimi Hernandez-Ovalle, Receptionist

Yeimi joined Gomez & Palumbo, LLC in July of 2020 after graduating from Greater Lawrence Technical School. Yeimi’s parents immigrated to the United States from Guatemala. From a young age, she witnessed the strength and pride of immigrants but also the challenges they face in this country which inspired her to work with immigrants every day. Yeimi aspires to continue her education by majoring in the Business Field and is currently a part-time student at Northern Essex Community College while working full-time for the firm.

In her own words: I have passion for helping people and making a difference in their lives. It is easy making a difference in people’s lives when you care about them enough to contribute to their well being. It is important to be invested and see people in need who come across you and want to lend them a hand. Gomez & Palumbo, LLC; has given me that opportunity to work with immigrants to whom even the slightest gesture of caring means something to them because of their need and vulnerable state. I am grateful for the opportunity to help people in my position at the firm since I am the first person they hear from most of the time and having that compassion goes a long way.